Frontex consultative forum publishes its annual report on fundamental rights

The Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights published its ninth annual report for the year 2021. The report outlines the main observations and recommendations that the Forum raised throughout the year with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and its Management Board to strengthen fundamental rights protection in Frontex activities.

The Consultative Forum looked closely into Frontex activities, including the allegations of being associated with fundamental rights violation at the external borders. The Consultative Forum advised the Agency on the need to establish solid procedures to ensure effective and transparent reporting of alleged incidents, in compliance with key recommendations including from institutional actors such as the European Parliament.

By the end of 2021, Frontex enhanced its fundamental rights monitoring mechanism by putting in place new procedures and reforming existing ones. Most importantly, Frontex recruited a new Fundamental Rights Officer and the Fundamental Rights Monitors. While these measures filled a long-standing fundamental rights monitoring gap, it is vital to closely observe their implementation to ensure that allegations of fundamental rights violations be substantiated and adequately addressed. Furthermore, it is important to analyse potential gaps in the fundamental rights monitoring mechanism.

The Consultative Forum will continue advising Frontex on fundamental rights and encouraging the Agency to adopt a rights-compliant approach in all its activities.

The report is available here.